News — rhythm and blues
The Tempests: A Carolina Soul Story (April 2019 book update) - E. Mark Windle.
1960s beach music Carolina northern soul R&B rare soul rhythm and blues soul soul labels southern soul
It's a bit of a tradition these days for me to provide progress reports of writing projects at particular milestones, partly to inform of course but also for personal reflection on the process and to praise contributing individuals who help 'make it happen'. So then, here we have the Spring update now that The Tempests book is nearly complete. On the whole, the majority of the book is there and the main text has now been proof read. Still-to-dos include some final image copyright permissions and heaps of boring stuff (indexing, pagination etc). The manuscript will be heading to the...
Of Piedmont Blues, Beach Music and Teenage Radio (excerpt from The Tempests: A Carolina Soul Story) - E. Mark Windle.
1960s beach music blue eyed soul Carolina northern soul R&B rhythm and blues soul southern soul
True enough, in the 1960s several recording acts from the eastern seaboard embraced soul music. For some perhaps it was initially as a happy accident. Travelling African-American R&B singers on the circuit arrived in town without a backing band and needed some local talented musicians to support them. Later, musical repertoire would occur more by design. The uniqueness of The Tempests lay in the fact that this homegrown North Carolina outfit known for soulful lead vocals, an unusually large and loud horn section, tight rhythm and heavy bass lines, could claim some commercial success and much critical acclaim. It seemed...
Sir Ted Ford - Right Now / I Can't Give You Up (Diggin' Deep Records) PRESS RELEASE
1960s crossover northern soul R&B rare soul rhythm and blues songwriter soul soul labels
NEWS - The boys at Diggin' Deep Records are now taking pre-orders their latest release, including an unissued southern soul recording by Sir Ted Ford. Sean Hampsey reveals all: "....The latest 45 is an astounding double-sider that Diggin’ Deep are extremely proud to be able to bring to you. Two slabs of pure southern soul from Muscle Shoals! Both are classic ‘Muscle Shoals’ tracks, emanating from the legendary FAME studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This latest release came about via a chance conversation with the world’s leading soul music dealer, John Manship, where we learned that Sir Ted Ford had previously...
Without My Girl: The Chashers' Story - E. Mark Windle.
1960s beach music blue eyed soul Carolina northern soul R&B rare soul rhythm and blues soul
The Chashers’ “Without My Girl” is one of the more obscure releases and not that well known even among rare soul collectors, partly due to the record being one of the more recent discoveries on the northern scene. The track may have been first played in the UK at the Middleton all-nighters by DJs Carl Willingham and Phil Shields. By the time “Without My Girl” came out in late 1968, The Chashers had evolved from a merger of earlier bands. The two writers, Lamar (aka Tom) Collins, lead singer and Roy Thompson, guitar, were members of The Avalons, originally from...
If It Aint One Thing. The Spidells and the Exotics Band Story - E. Mark Windle.
1960s nashville northern soul R&B rare soul rhythm and blues soul southern soul
The Spidells were formed in 1962, by four students from Tennessee State University. This R&B vocal harmony group was comprised of Billy Lockridge (lead and second tenor), James Earl Smith (senior student, second lead and first tenor), Nathaniel Shelton (tenor), Lee Roy Cunningham (baritone / tenor) and Michael Young (bass / baritone). Sam Jones, of The Astors from Memphis, remembers being introduced to them by Larry Lee at the Club Del Morocco as early as 1962. Lee was associated with the group at that time, perhaps as part of the supporting band but also as songwriter. Author collection. Their...